"I have always been intrigued by the notion of fear. I believe it is the rawest emotion that we can experience as human beings, and it goes beyond any form of rationality," says Tyrone Grima, about his choice to direct Wait Until Dark for the MADC. "When we are afraid, we do not allow our brains to sabotage our feelings. We may fight. We may flee. We may freeze. But whatever we do, it is an emotional reaction."
Grima is a theatre practitioner and lecturer in the Performing Arts and Theatre Studies. Although he began his foray into the world of theatre as an actor, he shifted to the director's seat by 2004 and has numerous productions under his belt.
"Wait Until Dark is a dynamic play but, like any other great piece of work, it comes with its challenges," confesses Grima. "The first one is how to make it relevant to a contemporary Maltese audience. The story focuses on Suzy, a blind woman who goes on a journey of empowerment as she struggles against three criminal conmen who attempt to steal a doll full of heroin from her apartment. The perception of women when the play was written has radically changed in comparison to where we stand now.
"That said," he adds, "patriarchy seems to have become more pronounced in the last decade locally. In designing our production, we kept all these dynamics in mind to create something that is faithful to the original script and yet fresh, relevant, and relatable."
Grima has brought together a superb cast including Erica Muscat, Edward Thorpe, Myron Ellul, Joe Depasquale, David Muscat, and with youngsters Katie Grech Lupi and Shaznay Mangion sharing the role of Gloria.
In rehearsal, the cast - and the play's backstage crew - have had to face a major challenge in that the play is heavy on technicalities, with many sound cues and several props. "The orchestration of all these aspects is pivotal to the success of the play," the director confides. "Fortunately, I have a very skilled cast who can cope with these technicalities while still delivering on an emotional level. I also have a dedicated crew that is on the ball... and which can operate in the dark - pun very much intended!"
The play is in its final stages of rehearsal as opening night approaches. "I would like the audience to have a fully immersive and enjoyable experience," says Grima. "This is a gripping thriller, and the audience will experience a whole gamut of emotions. In the first part, they will laugh and enjoy the different characters, but this will change in the second half when the experience of tension and raw fear will take over. This will be enhanced by the intimate space that that the MADC Playhouse provides, and the immersive approach taken, thanks to which the audience will become part of the action and will root for Suzy and engage in her journey of empowerment."
Wait Until Dark will be performed at the MADC Playhouse, Sta Venera, on Friday 22, Saturday 23, Sunday 24, Friday 29, Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1, Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May 2022 at 7.30pm. Performances are suitable for audience members aged 14 and above and adhere to current public health recommendations. No tickets will be printed or sold at the door. Tickets are available online at www.madc.com.mt for €20, or a reduced student rate of €17 on presentation of a valid student card or app. This project is being presented in collaboration with MCAST - The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology.